Regional Precincts and Partnerships Program: Precinct Delivery Stream 2

Purpose and Program Overview

The Regional Precincts and Partnerships Program (rPPP): Precinct Delivery Stream 2 is an Australian Government initiative. It supports infrastructure projects that form part of multi-purpose regional precincts across Australia’s regional, rural, and remote areas. The program aims to activate and grow these precincts. It funds projects that provide benefits related to productivity, equity, and resilience. These projects can include enabling infrastructure, open spaces, and buildings. They act as catalysts for precinct development or complement existing investments. The program is administered by the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts (DITRDCA).

With a total funding pool of up to $80 million available specifically for Stream 2, this program is a key part of the broader $400 million rPPP. The rPPP encourages place-based partnerships. These partnerships involve governments, communities, businesses, and First Nations groups. The funding supports precinct delivery projects tailored to local contexts. These projects must reflect a shared vision and align with national priorities. These priorities include Closing the Gap, decarbonisation, housing affordability, economic diversification, and cultural development.

Precinct Delivery Stream 2 helps turn planning into action. It co-invests with local stakeholders to build infrastructure. This strengthens regional centres, corridors, and remote hubs. It drives social and economic outcomes, improving quality of life and regional prosperity.

Key Grant Details

• Grant amount: $5 million to $50 million per project.
• Application open: 24 August 2023. Applications are open continuously.
• Application closes: No fixed close date. Applications are batched and assessed periodically. The program runs until 30 June 2027.
• Eligible industries/business types: Partnerships involving:
  • State and Territory governments.
  • Local governments.
  • First Nations groups.
  • Community organisations.
  • Regional universities.
  • Not-for-profit organisations.
  • Private enterprises.
  • Other relevant stakeholders engaged in regional precinct delivery.
• Co-contributions: Required. Applicants or partners typically provide a minimum of 50% of eligible project costs.
• Location/state/territory applicability: Regional, rural, and remote areas of Australia. These are defined as outside Greater Capital City Statistical Areas (GCCSA) by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).

Priority Sectors

rPPP Precinct Delivery Stream 2 welcomes projects from a broad range of sectors. These projects must contribute to regional precinct development. Priority is given to projects that:

• Support regional economic diversification and productivity.
• Advance social equity and wellbeing in communities.
• Contribute to national policies. These include Closing the Gap, net zero emissions, housing affordability, and cultural development.
• Enhance climate adaptation and environmental sustainability.

Funding Scope

• Minimum and maximum amounts per project: $5 million to $50 million.
• Categories/streams: Funding is provided for the delivery of precinct infrastructure projects. This includes, but is not limited to:
  • Enabling infrastructure such as roads, pathways, and underground utilities.
  • Public spaces and community facilities.
  • Catalyst buildings that drive further investment.
  • Projects that are “construction-ready” with a completed business case, design, and consultation.
• Project timeline: The program runs over four years, from 2023-24 to 2026-27. Projects typically have multi-year timelines. These timelines must align with funding agreements and conclude by 30 June 2027.

Grant Amount in Total

Up to $80 million is allocated for Stream 2: Precinct Delivery. This is part of the overall $400 million rPPP funding.

Eligibility Criteria

• A formal partnership is required. This partnership must include relevant local government, First Nations groups, community organisations, regional universities, private sector entities, and Australian Government agencies with program interests.
• The partnership must show collaborative governance and a shared investment commitment.
• Projects must be located in eligible regional, rural, or remote geographic areas. Australian Bureau of Statistics classifications defines these areas.
• Applicants must have the capability and capacity to deliver large-scale infrastructure projects.
• Compliance with relevant legal, environmental, construction, and governance requirements is mandatory.
• Entities must be registered with valid Australian Business Numbers (ABNs) or equivalent (e.g., ORIC registration for Indigenous corporations).
• Projects should not have received Commonwealth funding for the same activities.

Eligible Activities and Expenses

• Construction and delivery of precinct infrastructure and buildings.
• Associated project management, design, and consultation costs are directly related to delivery.
• Environmental and heritage assessments are necessary for construction approvals.
• Activities that enable precinct activation and further investment.
• Community engagement is directly related to project delivery stages.
• Direct project costs like materials for construction, lease of plant and equipment, and labour expenditure.

Assessment Process

This is an open, non-competitive program. Applications are batched and assessed periodically. An Independent Expert Panel conducts a merit-based selection process.

Assessment criteria include:

• Project merit: How innovative and feasible the project is. It has the potential impact on productivity, equity, and resilience.
• Strength and inclusiveness of partnership governance: The quality of collaboration among partners.
• Social, economic, environmental, and cultural benefits: The positive impacts the project will have.
• Value for money and funding leverage: How effectively the funds will be used, and if co-contributions are significant.
• Delivery capacity and risk management strategies: The applicant’s ability to deliver the project and manage risks.
• Alignment with Australian Government priorities: How the project supports initiatives like Closing the Gap, decarbonisation, and housing affordability.

Recent Updates of Precinct Delivery Stream 2

Program guidelines were updated in February 2025. This reflects alignment with Stream 1 and national policy priorities. Application intake is ongoing for projects spanning the 2023-24 to 2026-27 financial years. There is an increased focus on Indigenous economic participation and climate adaptation within precinct delivery. The program period has been extended to 30 June 2027.

Application Tips

• Develop strong multi-stakeholder partnerships early. Establish formal governance arrangements.
• Prepare comprehensive project delivery plans. Include detailed budgets, timelines, risk management strategies, and community engagement plans.
• Align project outcomes with government priorities. This includes Closing the Gap, decarbonisation, and regional economic growth.
• Engage with government program contacts for clarification and feedback during application preparation.
• Submit applications in a timely manner. This ensures compliance and allows for a comprehensive assessment.
• Ensure your project is “construction-ready.” Provide a completed business case, design, and evidence of consultation.

Where to Get Help

Consider consulting with a professional grant specialist like Pattens Group. We provide expert guidance on partnership structuring and help align your precinct delivery project with the grant’s objectives. Official guidelines and application materials are available on relevant government websites.